ARC UKBA Practitioner's Group Attendance Monitoring Jon Pink Academic Registrar, University of Kent

UKBA Expectation for Monitoring Engagement UKBA sent a letter to UUK, UKCISA, Guild HE and AHUA dated 15 February 2013 setting out further clarification of expected contacts and monitoring Fundamental Principle of PBS is those who benefit from immigration should play their part in controlling it. Intention of Tier 4 attendance monitoring is to ensure students with permission to study continue to do so. Sponsors must have systems in place to identify when a student has stopped studying Not prescription on a particular attendance monitoring or record keeping system due to diversity of the sector UKBA Compliance VisitsPage 2

UKBA Expectation for Monitoring Engagement No requirement to create separate monitoring systems for international students Expectation that monitoring is incorporated existing policies and systems for all students If systems and processes are compliant then there is no need to introduce separate physical checks Compliance officers are starting to collect examples of systems that meet requirements Compliance visits will focus on:  Is the individual continuing to study at an institution?  Is there a robust policy and process in place to monitor continued engagement with studies?  Is this process being followed? UKBA Compliance VisitsPage 3

Example from Kent PG Research Academic regulations stated “supervisors should meet regularly with students and keep a record of the meeting” Had complaints from some students about lack of/poor supervision difficult to challenge as some tutors did not keep records even though in most cases supervision happening We changed our regulations to “supervisors must meet with the student at least every 4 weeks and keep records..” We put in place an electronic system where student submits a report and the member of staff verifies that report Managed through our Graduate School supported by training System automatically generates reminders We have a range of reports we use to check compliance UKBA Compliance VisitsPage 4

Example Monitoring System - University A Use electronic attendance monitoring and 6 ID check points during the year to monitor their sponsored students. They have a bar code scanner in place and student ID cards are scanned at the start of each class. This system is linked to an internal system for monitoring purposes. If a student goes missing during class then it is up to the lecturer to inform the International Office. A narrative of any contact with the student is retained i.e. phone, , text, letter. UKBA Compliance VisitsPage 5

Example Monitoring System - University B Expected contacts are any timetabled contacts (i.e. lectures, tutorials, lab time). Class lists to establish if there are any non-attendees. Initially, any patterns of absence are monitored by the individual faculty. If the faculty is unable to resolve the issue it is referred to the International Office. They also have an engagement scheme whereby any attendance at the library, International Office or entrance via a barrier system is recorded. UKBA Compliance VisitsPage 6

Example Monitoring System - University C The sponsor set up 10 random expected interactions for the academic year (these expected interactions can be any form of contact with the university including contact or a meeting with the International Office). These interactions where then recorded on an electronic database. If the student misses 4 expected interactions then action was taken by the international office taken. If the missed interactions are during the academic year a meeting is arranged and a verbal warning is issued. If the missed interaction is near the end of the year then an warning is issued. If there is further non attendance a final warning is issued. UKBA Compliance VisitsPage 7

Attendance Monitoring Questions and Answers Add presentation title here in the Slide MasterPage 8